As we all know the cost of fuel is continuing to rise and there appears to be no immediate prospect of it reducing significantly in the short term. As a result of this, Arriva has announced that it is increasing the price of it's single tickets from Saturday 14 June.

Darlington Borough will be affected as follows:
Fares currently 90 pence will be 95 pence
Fares currently ?1.20 will be ?1.25 (unless they increased from ?1.10 to ?1.20 under the fares restructuring 30 March 2008)

Mike Cartwright (Harrowgate Hill Ward Councillor) said

"As a motorist I have seen my own fuel costs increase significantly under this Labour Government, so it comes as no surprise that the public transport providers are feeling the pinch"

"Unfortunately though I fear this latest announcement may affect once again some of the most vulnerable people in our society ? the elderly. Having already lost their free early morning bus travel, this is yet another blow for any pensioners"

"Just this morning, we received a telephone call from one of our residents to say that a recent 8.00am GP appointment had cost him ?5 in bus fares from his already stretched pension. With the rising cost of food and this new price increase in bus travel we are likely to witness our elderly residents suffer even more hardship."

"So much for John Williams recent announcement and promise to ?negotiate? with Arriva to try to arrange a discount for our pensioners. Perhaps his time would be better spent contacting his Labour colleague Gordon Brown and ?negotiating? a reduction in fuel duty and funding for free pensioner bus travel"


Gill Cartwright (Harrowgate Hill Ward Councillor) said

"It would be wrong to blame Arriva for this latest increase. With ever increasing costs, they clearly have no choice but to put up the cost of fares. In my opinion the blame should be laid firmly at the door of Number 10 Downing Street and it?s current occupant Gordon Brown for allowing this countries economy to spiral out of control."

"It is also time that the Labour controlled Council in Darlington acknowledges the bad decision it has made in withdrawing free early morning bus travel from pensioners and finally listen to the people of this town as opposed to just paying lip service"

Related links:-

Bus Pass U-Turn?

Bus Pass update

Bus Pass scrapping affects charities

Council Leader John Williams says "No"!

Petition to save early bus passes

Gill's Blog regarding Bus Pass fiasco - Email the Prime Minister!